Magnetic pickup



Dec. 26, 1950 R. J. AUST MAGNETIC PICKUP Filed May 20, 1947 INVENTOR l g/erfj /lzsf ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 26, 1950 MAGNETIC PICKUP Robert J. Aust, Indianapolis, Ind., assigner to P. R. Mallory & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a

corporation of Delaware Application May 2l), 1947, Serial No. 749,271

This invention relates to electric pickups and to a novel stylus assembly therefor.

In electric pickups, vibrations set up by the contact of a stylus tip with the sound track of a phonograph record are utilized to change the strength of a magnetic field and thereby induce a current in a pickup coil which corresponds to the mechanical undulations of the sound track. In early pickups of this type, a metal armature was provided in which the needle was inserted and held in position by a set screw. In such pickups, the vibratory system consisted of the stylus,v the armature, the chuck, and the set screw. As the art developed, it was found advantageous to reduce the mass of the vibratory system as much as possible thereby reducing the pressure upon the record and allowing more accurate reproduction of the sound track. Many structures were proposed whereby the set screw was eliminated and the needle held in the armature either by magnetism or by a mechanical clamping device not utilizing a set screw. In these pickups, the vibrating system comprised the stylus and the armature which was moved thereby and extended into the field produced by the pickup magnet.

Although, in some cases, improved results were obtained with this type of pickup, difficulties were encountered in providing pro-per damping and in securing fidelity at high frequencies. In addition, the relatively heavy armature oftentimes exerted excessive pressure upon the record causing rapid wear of the needle and sound track. In these pickups, it was immaterial whether or not the stylus was formed of paramagnetic material inasmuch as the armature controlled the variation of the magnetic field and induced the current in the pickup coil.

In accordance with the present invention, the armature is altogether eliminated and the variations in the magnetic field are effected by the movement of a paramagnetic portion of the stylus itself, thereby reducing the vibratory system to a single part which may have a total weight of as little as 14 to 20 milligrams. Effective damping is obtained by mounting the stylus in a support of resilient material which constitutes the sole mounting therefor. To this end, the shank of the stylus may be inserted in a sleeve of resilient sponge material thereby forming an assembly which may be conveniently inserted into the field established by the pickup magnet. In such fashion, the weight of the vibrating system is reduced to an absolute minimum with resultant sharp decrease in record a claims. (c1. 17e-100.41)

the entire stylus or needles assembly may be conveniently removed and replaced in the event the stylus tip becomes damaged or worn.

It is an object of the invention to improve the construction and operation of pickups and provide an improved stylus assembly therefor.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electromagnetic pickup in which the weight of the vibrating system is reduced to an absolute minimum.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pickup which faithfully reproduces the highest frequencies used in high fidelity recording studios.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a pickup having the above characteristics in which the user may readily replace the stylus or needle.

The invention also contemplates a pickup which is of simple construction, reliable in operation, and which can be assembled or disassembled with a minimum of effort.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptionand accompanying drawings taken in connection with the appended claims.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, arrangement of parts, and methods of manufacture referred to above or which will be brought out and exemplified in the disclosure hereinafter set forth, including the illustrations in the drawings, the scope of the invention being indicated in the appended claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention as well as for specific fulllment thereof. reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of the novel pickup;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 'i 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the magnet and pole pieces associated therewith; and

Figures 5 to 8 are sectional views illuitrating various modications of my novel stylus assembly.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention is described herein, it is contemplated that considerable variation may be made in the method of procedure and the construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. In

Wear and improved delity of reproduction. Also. 55 the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the pickup comprises a casing I of Bakelite or other suitablematerial which has a cavity portion II for receiving the pickup assembly. This assembly comprises magnetic means or structure I2 which, in the example shown, includes a permanent magnet I3 brazed or otherwise suitably secured to a pair of spaced, complementary pole pieces 5114.

Mounted between the pole piecesV I4 is Va pickup coil I5 which is wound onabobbin vc' 1 spo'ol I6 having an axial passage I1 therein. In :the example shown, a second coil IS, which is wound on a bobbin I9, is mounted in spaced, axially aligned relation to the coil I5 and adjacentuterfminals of these coils are connected in series by a conductor 2i), the other terminals being connected, Hrespectively, to 'terminal plugs t2'In by leads v22. It will be apparent that "the pickup may be readily connected to a suitable tone'a'rm by the plugs 2l which may, in turn, be connected to a suitable amplifier and 'reproducen The function ofthe coil I 8 is to reduce hum picl".up, ra"s will'be explained in greater detail hereafter, and although its use vis ordinarily advantageous, 'it may, in some cases,'be dispensed with.

In accordance with the invention, a novel stylus assembly 25Mis mounted inthe passage I I and eirtendspthrough a suitable opening '26: in the Casing IQ. According to the preferred'emboidi'- ment of the invention shown in Figure 5, the assembly 'comprises a stylus 27 having a Itip '28' of 'a 'suitable hard material fand a shank "29fjof paramagnetic material, such as iron. The' stylus isnembedded in and permanently 'affixed to a sleeve 30 of resilient material, such as sponge rubber. The sleeve is preferably of greaterdiameter than the passage Il'so as to be 'somewhat compressed when inserted therein, as illustrated in Figure 2. VThis compression of the sleeve holds the assembly firmly within the passage andprevents it from falling out, for example, Whene'a record is being changed. A piece of "sem'irigi'd insulating v"material y3| may be positioned at the upper end of the passage to prevent mechanical contact of the shank 29 with the magnet I3.y

It will be apparent that the coil I5 and the paramagnetic stylus portion 2s are both disposed within the magnetic eld established by `the permanent magnet 'I3 and that the 'shank ofthe stylus is disposed between the inwardly 'extend ing bottom portions 32 of the'p'olepieces. "Accordingly, when the stylus is vibrated, as'bythfe groove of a phonograph disc, the paramagnetic 'shankportion v29 changes the reluctanceofthe magneticpath through the coil and inducesv'a voltage in the coil I5 corresponding to theV dulations of the record groove, this volta'gefbeing amplified in any suitable manner foro'peration of a reproducing device. K u

The vibrating system of the presentpickup consists only of the stylus and, by the use of the invention, a substantial reduction in the mass of the vibrating system is eifected, particularly in comparison with pickups wherein a separate armature or even the pickup coil is included in the vibrator'y system. In addition,`the stylus, ybeingsupported solely by the resilient rsleeve 3U, responds faithfully to the track of the-phono* lgraph record. As a result, good frequency Wreisponse and high delity of reproduction are'obl tained through the entire range, even where ei:

Vbe supplied as an integral part of the replace- "ment assembly thereby assuring that the resilience "of the sleeve will always be at a maximum,

kwith resultant consistent high quality reproduc- Y function of the coil I8 is to substantially vneu'tralire unwanted currents induced in the pickup coil "I5, for example, by the power line or the phonograph motor. It will be noted that the coil I8 issub'ls'tantially outside the magnetic iield produced by the magnet and pole pieces and, hence, no yoltage'isindiiced therein by vibration of the stylus. However, when an unwanted voltage is induced in the pi'cku'pcoil 15, as by a powerline disturbance, v it is canceled by an equal and opposits voltage'inducedin 'the con ls. Accordingly-this" Coilficancel's out humor "noises produced by powerliiie disturbances but does not Vaffect voltages induced in the pickup Vcoil by vibration ofthe stylus. y 1

VIn Figures 6 'to 8, modied forms of stylusas'- semblies vare shown in which 4'parts similar to those already described are indicated by like reference numerals. Referring to Figure 6, an assembly "is Vshown in 'whicha Yresilient Vsleeve member 35, preferably "of fsponge rubber, -is permanentlysecured with'in'th'e interior passage ITof'the coil Asul-)130.1% uIS. It will'be vSeen"tli'a't the stylus'2'lvmay simply be inserted into or'removed from tnefsie'eve when replacement thereof istieY sited. 1n its inserted position, the stylus Ais einbedded "in and support'eolsolely by the resilient material `3` 5,'the inner kdiameter of the tsleeve being' slightly lless than that v-of the stylus to prevent tliejlatterffr'om drcpping'outlof the-pickup when a record'ischanged. 'It willbe apparent that this structure may be employed with the :coni

'ventional type of pickup, However, it i's pre ferred vto utilize 4the modification of Figure 5` the sponge materiali-endete becomeless resilient after prolongedus'e and, accordingly, it is desirable to Aprovide Aa fresnrubbersleeve with vreach stylus, asf'in theembodimentofiFigure 5.

In `tl'ie formof the inventionldi'sclosed bvFi'gure 7, the "stylus assemblyjoflFig'ure I'5 consisting of the 'resilient sleeve .S0 f amA sums f2.1, is :compressed and permanently mountedwithina nonmagnetic. metal sleeve-36 Alirewin'gfdiametrically "opposed, longitudinal splitp'ortions 3'? atoneend `thereof `the insulating fmembefrjl "being intere posed betweenthejend yp o'nitns f the metal "sleeve andthe inner'end of the stylus. Y"Ihisas sembly maybe manufactured'as a complete unit and, when linserted into thepa's's'age il, :Figure -2, the split portions of the sleeve v:are somewhat compressed with' the result that the fasseiubly is positively maintained -in position Ul'lfitlflin the pickup.

Awhich" may be inclined, 'if desired, with respect to Afthe lsha'n'kllll. Permanently V"sec'mred to; thestylus lare aiirst resilient memberffllpos'itioi'ied at' the free end' of 'the 'enlargedI shank 4U and `ai second resilient member or sleeve 44 which extends from the other end of the shank and substantially completely covers the portion 4i of the stylus. Both resilient members are preferably formed of sponge rubber and are engageable with the respective ends ci the passage Il, the resilient material being compressed when the assembly is inserted into the passage to securely hold it in position therein. At least the enlarged shank of the stylus is formed of paramagnetic material so as to cut the lines of force established by the magnetic means l2, in response to the undulations of a record groove, thereby inducing a current in the coil i5. This form of the invention is especially suitable for use where it is desired that the stylus tip shall be inclined with respect to the shank thereof.

It will be noted that the advantages of the invention in reducing the vibrating mass of the pickup to the absolute minimum are obtained with all the modications described. Further, in each case, the stylus may be said to be full lioating on the resilient supports provided therefor with the result that high fidelity of reproduction is assured. It may be also pointed out that a readily replaceable stylus assembly is provided, preferably including both the stylus and the resilient support therefor, which may be manufactured at a low cost. Thus, a number of stylus assemblies may be utilized without replacing the entire pickup. This is in contrast with present practice in high quality pickups which normally involves replacement of the entire pickup when the stylus is worn out. It should also be noted that, due to the extremely low mass of the vibratory system and its inherent stiffness, there is no resonance point within the audible range oi 50 to 10,000 cycles, thereby providing greatly improved high frequency reproduction.

It will be apparent that the principles of this invention are applicable not only to a phonograph pickup, wherein the mechanical variations of the record groove are transformed to electrical energy, but also to vibration pickups wherein mechanical motion is transformed into corresponding electrical energy, and the term pickup in the appended claims is intended to cover both types of devices. Further, the term resilient sleeve or membeln in the appended claims is intended to include resilient supports for the stylus oi various sizes and cOnguratiOnS, such resilient supports constituting the sole mounting of the stylus.

While the present invention, as to its objects and advantages, has been described herein as carried out in specic embodiments thereof, it is not desired to be limited thereby but it is intended to cover the invention broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric pickup, a pair of parallel, spaced, generally L-shaped pole pieces having their bases arranged to denne an air gap, a permanent magnet engaging the parallel portions of said pole pieces, a generally cylindrical coil form mounted within the magnetic structure defined by said magnet and said pole pieces, said coil form having an axial passage extending therethrough, a pickup coil wound on said form, a spacer of insulating material disposed in said passage in engagement with said magnet, and a stylus assembly mounted in said passage with one end thereof engaging said spacer and the other end thereof extending through said air gap, said assembly including a sleeve of resilient material and a stylus having a paramegnetic portion embedded in said resilient sleeve.

2. In an electric pickup, a pare-.magnetic structure deiining a pair of spaced pole pieces, a magnet interposed between said pole pieces for establishing a magnetic field in said structure, a pickup coil disposed within said ield between said pole pieces and on one side of Said magnet, a stylus assembly mounted in said eld adjacent the pickup coil, and a humbucking coil disposed outside said eld on the opposite side of said magnet, said assembly comprising a stylus having a paramagnetic shank portion and a sleeve of sponge material completely surrounding said shank portion and supported adjacent said pickup coil in substantially perpendicular relationship with said magnet.

3. ln an electric pickup, a paramagnetic structure defining a pair of spaced L-shaped pole pieces, a magnet interposed between said pole pieces for establishing a magnetic eld in said structure, a pickup coil disposed within said eld between said pole pieces and on one side of said magnet, a stylus assembly mounted in said field adjacent the pickup coil, a spacer of insulating material interposed between said assembly and said magnet, and a humbucking coil disposed outside said field on the opposite side of said magnet, said assembly comprising a stylus having a paramagnetic shank portion and a sleeve or" resilient material completely surrounding said shank portion and supported adjacent said pickup coil.

ROBERT J. AUST.

REFERENEES CITED The following references are or" record in the Tie or" this patent:

UNITEB STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,645,139 Harrison Oct. 11, 1927 1,830,401 Miessner Nov. 3, 1931 1,830,801 McClatchie Nov. 10, 1931 1,834,359 Vansickle Dec. 1, 1931 1,835,073 McClatchie Dec. 8, 1931 2,105,167 Sinnett Jan. 11, 1938 2,241,105 Woodruf May 6, 1941 2,326,424 Andres Aug. 10, 1943 2,416,082 Balmer Feb. 18, 1947 2,429,137 Root Oct. 14, 1947 FOREGN PATENTS Number Country Date 276,466 Great Britain Sept. 1, 1927 333,895 Great Britain Aug. 21, 1930 337,811 Great Britain Nov. 7, 1930 445,423 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1936 333,922 Italy Jan. 16, 1936 377,858 Italy Jan. 11, 1940 725,264 France May 10, 1932 

